How maternal organelles affect the health of offspring germ cells
Official title: Maternal organelle contribution to offspring germline health
Funded at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res · NIH-11003357 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny structures from a mother fruit fly can affect the health of her offspring's reproductive cells, helping us understand how these important parts are passed down and maintained during development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $75,520 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HD111257-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003357 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in reproductive health, particularly those concerned about the genetic and cellular health of their offspring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not planning to conceive or those with no interest in reproductive health may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of maternal organelles in the health of germ cells in offspring, focusing on how these organelles are passed down during reproduction. Using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model organism, the study will explore the mechanisms by which maternal organelles are maintained and replaced during the development of embryos. The research employs molecular and genetic techniques to visualize and analyze the quality of organelles inherited from mothers, aiming to understand their impact on the next generation's germline health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to insights that improve reproductive health and the understanding of hereditary conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on maternal organelles in offspring germline health is novel, similar studies in single-cell organisms have shown success in understanding organelle quality control.
Where this research is happening
-
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodman, Jay S — Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res
- Study coordinator: Goodman, Jay S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.